Teddy Sheringham believes the perfect mentor for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite already plays for Manchester United.
The Reds are interested in signing Branthwaite but Everton are pricing the 22-year-old out of a move away from Goodison Park, after rejecting two offers this summer.
The once-capped England international has been a top target for United for much of the summer, having agreed personal terms over a move to Old Trafford. That was proof for Everton that their young defender was ready to move on.
Reports suggest that Branthwaite had verbally accepted a £160,000-per-week contract from United, which is a significant increase on his current pay package of £40,000-per-week.
Everton’s position has always been the same. They will only accept a bid of over £70m for Branthwaite, using the transfer fee United paid for Harry Maguire to justify their valuation of the centre-back.
The Toffees had financial problems that saw them deducted points in the Premier League last season. They will be trying to avoid that this time around after selling Lewis Dobbin, Ben Godfrey and now Amadou Onana. That should see them pocket around £70m and it puts them under less pressure to cash in on Branthwaite.
To compensate for blocking Branthwaite’s move to United, the defender is likely to be offered a new deal at Goodison Park, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Evans backed to help Branthwaite
Former United striker Teddy Sheringham makes it no secret that he thinks United should sign Branthwaite. He also believes that Evans is the right defender to mentor the young defender.
Speaking to Genting Casino, as cited by the Manchester Evening News, Sheringham said: Jarrad Branthwaite is playing at the top of his game, getting a lot of rave reviews and a lot of people have been talking about him. He is only young so could be a good option for Man United in the future. I think he could learn a lot from Jonny Evans, too, and become a mainstay in United’s defence for the foreseeable future.”
Evans is the type of player who can have a positive impact on any young prospect. He has always led by example.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
